United In the Storm

Last night our nation elected another president and no matter if whether your candidate was chosen or not, we are facing many storms in our future. I personally believe the first one will be a storm of division which always strikes after an election. This year it will have a significant affect on the church in America because the polls within the church show the Body of Christ was divided along racial, political and social lines during this election.

Sometimes we were asked who we believed would win. As pastors and ministers, we’re not supposed to publicly endorse a political candidate, so we will continue to withhold our personal views on that subject. Also, since the church in America is so divided over the candidate choices, we have found it necessary to minister on a higher and more meaningful level than politics and race.

So you ask, what could possibly be more important than politics and race, especially since the issues that were raised were deeply spiritual and moral?

We choose to focus on the hearts of men, women, boys and girls, because the Bible declares that from the heart, springs the issues of life.

Proverbs 4:23 reads: Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

So, before we start discussing the issues of life, we have to deal with the heart. Many hearts have not been kept (guarded and protected). They have been broken, wounded, damaged, crushed, twisted, perverted, distorted, etc. People are assuming their personal and political positions regarding the issues of life based upon what has happened in and to their hearts.

The Lord gave us a particular way to address the issues of today. The main objectives of Chris and Carol Green include being spiritual parents in this era. We believe God gave us this approach to ministry because HE knew the kind of hearts this generation would have. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, was giving a warning regarding some matters, but in the midst of his warning he makes a profound statement to explain his position. He tells them,

For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. - 1 Corinthians 4:15-16

So, like Paul, we’re not making these statements as instructors, teachers, pastors, or clergy. We write this BLOG as spiritual parents because there really aren’t many fathers (and mothers) in the American Church. Before we were sent out in ministry, we were called primarily to be a father and mother to this generation.

Paul established solid relationships with the people reading his letters. He was basically telling them this: I've been more than a religious instructor. So don't just do what I'm telling you because I said so. Imitate me based upon what you've seen in me and what we have shared together.
  
So in your mental picture of Chris and Carol, please take away the podium, the clergy collar, the robes and sacred garments. We’re just a father and mother, a dad and a mom, that God has touched with His love and compassion. HE told us to go and reach our generation with that kind of love and ministry.

If we never own another church facility, it doesn't matter. Facilities and buildings can be a help or a hindrance, depending upon where people are in their own hearts. So this mom and dad are just saying, you have to learn how to live in the eye of the storm. You must learn to be thankful when there's a lot to complain about all around you. You have to learn how to move with the eye of the storm.

Like parents talking to their kids, we're saying: While you are following the peace of God for your life, let's stick together. There will always be a lot to complain about, but don’t give in to it. That's why Paul told everyone to be thankful. 

Last week we started talking about Living in the Eye of the Hurricane. We felt this was necessary to discuss because we believe some spiritual storms are on the way. However, if our lives are built on the rock solid foundation of Jesus Christ and His Word, we will withstand the winds, rain and floods that are coming. We will be required to learn what it means to stay in the eye of the storm.

After last night’s presidential election, we know that millions of people will come away from it with a lot of complaining. The election results have the potential to bring more division, than ever before, into the church in America. Somebody’s expectations were not met and the complaining has already begun.

But look at the first portion of this scripture in Colossians 3:15-16, which tells us …And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

If we’re going to get through the storm of division, we must let the peace of God rule, to which we are called in one body. That’s why we declare that no matter who has won the elections at state and federal levels, the Body of Christ must have a different agenda. Our goals and objectives go beyond politics and social reform. We are called in ONE BODY, not one political party.

We must let the peace of God rule in our hearts because we are called in one body. That’s why, especially after this election, we must be thankful. Give thanks to God, no matter who has won the election. Even if you feel the absolute wrong person was chosen, you and I must MOVE WITH the eye of the storm. Be thankful we're in a nation where we still have this kind of freedom. Be thankful that we can take the fight for righteousness to another level, over and above the political process. We can take it to the Lord, in prayer.

Look at Ephesians 4: 1-4. Paul writes: I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

This passage opens up a whole new understanding for us in this season. Paul is saying clearly; even though I’m in a tough situation myself, I beg you to walk worthy of the calling. He even tells us how to do it. He tells us the real point of it all, which is endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There’s that word peace again. We have to MOVE TOGETHER in the eye of the storm. We won’t all approve of the direction that the eye is going, but since our calling is higher, our goal is higher. Our purpose is above the earthly agendas.

So this mom and dad are urging you to not get caught up in the swift moving storm of division that is coming against the church. Everyone is not pleased with the election, but if we turn from putting our hopes in an earthly leader, to placing our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ and moving forth with our Kingdom of God mandate, we can truly keep the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace. 

This will keep us united, in the eye of the hurricane.